“What? But she doesn’t usually look like that, does she?”

“She does—it’s just that she normally doesn’t bother dressing up,” the man explained helplessly.

With that, the crowd finally understood who the unfamiliar woman really was.

Once they figured out Aurora’s identity, their curiosity shifted even more toward the man at her side.

“They’ve always said the second Miss Walton was married. Thinking about it now, that man must be her husband, right?”

“Of course. Don’t you remember? Walton Corporation has that unspoken rule—the second heiress can only inherit after marriage.”

“What kind of strange rule is that?” someone muttered in confusion.

“I’m not sure, but since she’s already the general manager of Walton Corporation, it must be true.”

“If that’s the case, and no news ever leaked out, then the man beside her must have a powerful background.”

They exchanged glances, their curiosity about Lucas reaching its peak. Everyone wanted to know who he really was.

After all, no one had ever heard a word about him before.

And if they’d known Aurora had to marry in order to inherit Walton Corporation, they would have rushed to get close to her long ago.

In Ravenshore, Walton Corporation was already among the top firms. Even internationally, it stood strong.

Obviously, once Aurora became the successor, anyone tied to her would rise with her.

Someone couldn’t resist joking, “With conditions like that, I’d marry in as the live-in husband without hesitation.”

“Please. Even if you wanted to, that doesn’t mean Miss Walton would want you.”

“True enough. But speaking of that man—looking that handsome, don’t you think he might just be a pretty boy living off her?”

Everyone caught the meaning—an underhanded jab that his good looks were just a front, and that privately he was freeloading off her.

But this was Walton Corporation’s banquet. Gossiping here, in their host’s own hall, didn’t feel wise.

Chapter 1126

And without knowing who the man truly was, no one dared to agree too quickly.

People were the same everywhere—always careful to avoid trouble and weighing risk against gain, only ever doing what might benefit themselves.

The voices of discussion around them grew louder, but as Aurora and Lucas moved forward, everyone fell silent in unspoken agreement.

Aurora, arm linked with Lucas, swept a glance around, and the entire crowd instantly hushed.

She gave a cold snort inwardly. A bunch of people who only knew how to gossip behind others‘ backs—what use were they? Why had her mother even bothered gathering them here?

Were these the so-called connections her mother insisted on maintaining?

Aurora sighed to herself. If Walton Corporation had to cooperate with people like this, it might as well collapse.

There was no meaning in keeping it alive. These people were no different from the parasitic Hayes family.

She didn’t want to lose one Hayes family only to face countless more. For Walton Corporation, that would bring no benefit at all, and for her, it would only be a waste of time.

Chapter 1127